DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67419#0386
364
NEEDLEWORK ON BOOKS.
gold and silver on purple), exquisitely executed, are
found in abundance, but of a later date. Still they
appear to have been familiar with the practice at a
much more remote period ; and it is probable that the
Greeks acquired this art from Egypt or India. From
the Greeks it would naturally pass to the Latins, who
appear to have been acquainted with it early in the
second century. The earliest specimen of purple or
rose-coloured vellum is recorded in the life of the
Emperor Maximinus the younger, to whom, in the
commencement of the third century, his mother made
a present of the poems of Homer, written on purple
vellum in gold letters. Such productions were,
however, at this time very rare. The celebrated
Codex Argenteus of Ulphilas, written in silver and
gold letters on a purple ground, about 360, is proba-
bly the most ancient existing specimen of this mag-
nificent mode of calligraphy. In the fourth century
it had become more common: many ecclesiastical
writers allude to it, and St. Jerome especially does
so; and the following spirited dialogue has reference
to his somewhat condemnatory allusions.
“ Purple vellum Greek MSS.” says Breitinger, “ if
I remember rightly, are scarcer than white crows !”
Belinda. “ Pray tell us ‘ all about them,’ as the
children say.”
Philemon. “Well, then, at your next court visit, let
your gown rival the emblazoned aspect of these old
purple vellums, and let stars of silver, thickly
“powdered” thereupon, emulate, if they dare, the
silver capital Greek letters upon the purple membra-
naceous fragments which have survived the desola-
tions of time ! You see, I do not speak coldly upon
this picturesque subject!”
NEEDLEWORK ON BOOKS.
gold and silver on purple), exquisitely executed, are
found in abundance, but of a later date. Still they
appear to have been familiar with the practice at a
much more remote period ; and it is probable that the
Greeks acquired this art from Egypt or India. From
the Greeks it would naturally pass to the Latins, who
appear to have been acquainted with it early in the
second century. The earliest specimen of purple or
rose-coloured vellum is recorded in the life of the
Emperor Maximinus the younger, to whom, in the
commencement of the third century, his mother made
a present of the poems of Homer, written on purple
vellum in gold letters. Such productions were,
however, at this time very rare. The celebrated
Codex Argenteus of Ulphilas, written in silver and
gold letters on a purple ground, about 360, is proba-
bly the most ancient existing specimen of this mag-
nificent mode of calligraphy. In the fourth century
it had become more common: many ecclesiastical
writers allude to it, and St. Jerome especially does
so; and the following spirited dialogue has reference
to his somewhat condemnatory allusions.
“ Purple vellum Greek MSS.” says Breitinger, “ if
I remember rightly, are scarcer than white crows !”
Belinda. “ Pray tell us ‘ all about them,’ as the
children say.”
Philemon. “Well, then, at your next court visit, let
your gown rival the emblazoned aspect of these old
purple vellums, and let stars of silver, thickly
“powdered” thereupon, emulate, if they dare, the
silver capital Greek letters upon the purple membra-
naceous fragments which have survived the desola-
tions of time ! You see, I do not speak coldly upon
this picturesque subject!”